And he did it well, helping the hosts record a first home success in four games.

It was a vital win, one that moved Royals 13 points clear of safety, and for Keown it was an evening he had been dreaming of since he arrived at the club in 2011.

But was he nervous?

“No, I was just excited,” said the 19-year-old, son of former Arsenal and Reading defender Martin Keown.

“I’ve been waiting a long time for that so you’ve got to enjoy the opportunity when it comes.

“You’ve got to love it when you go out there. You’ve got to keep calm and enjoy the moment.”

He added: “I’ve been dreaming of that since I got here four years ago.

“I found out I was in the squad the day before and then they let us know the team just before the game.

Niall Keown in action against the Seagulls.

“In the last few minutes the gaffer said to me I want you to go on and sit in front of the back four, so I was very happy to go on and do that and help us see out the game.

“It was obviously a special moment for me but more importantly we got the win as well.

“We knew it was such an important game. We need to get as many points as we can between now and the end of the season. So the lads were very happy we managed to pick up three on Tuesday night.”

Keown, who was also called up for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s this week, became the 35th product of the Reading academy to graduate to the first team when he replaced Danny Williams in the closing stages against the Seagulls.

And he is a record-breaking ninth this season, joining the likes of Craig Tanner, Aaron Kuhl and Jake Cooper, who all made their debuts earlier in the campaign.

“It’s been encouraging,” he said, when asked how it felt seeing his U21s teammates getting their opportunity before him.

“You know you are at a club which pushes academy players and tries to get them into the first team.

“Obviously there has been a change in manager and that has worked out well for me.”